Aboriginal protesters march in protests across Canada for Idle No More cause

Idle No More

Dave Chidley/The Canadian Press

A man waves a flags as Aboriginal protesters and supporters in the Idle No More movement block the Blue Water Bridge border crossing to the United States in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday. The closing of the bridge lasted about an hour.

Idle No More

Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press

First Nations Idle No More protestors march and block the International Bridge between the Canada and U.S. border near Cornwall, Ont., Saturday.

TORONTO - Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in several cities across Canada on Saturday as momentum continued to build for the Idle No More movement.

The cause, which began last month, is in protest of the federal government’s omnibus Bill C-45, which First Nations groups claim threatens their treaty rights set out in the Constitution.

Waving flags and carrying placards, many of the demonstrators marched along roadways, highways and bridges.

On Saturday, police in Cornwall, Ont., closed the Seaway International Bridge as a public safety precaution.

The usually-busy border crossing, which connects the southeastern Ontario city and Akwesasne, Ont., to Massena, N.Y., was closed for more than three hours as demonstrators marched across the toll bridge.

Cornwall Sgt. Marc Bissonnette says police estimate there were about 150 to 200 protesters participating in the action, which was peaceful. No incidents have been reported.

Meanwhile, the border crossing between Sarnia, Ont., and Port Huron, Mich., and a stretch of Highway 403 in Hamilton, Ont., were also temporarily shut down for Idle No More protests.

Those on Sarnia’s Blue Water Bridge banged drums, chanted and stood in the middle of the roadway to listen to speeches.

One of them included Greg Plain of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, who was one of the organizers of a recent nearly-two week long blockade on a CN Rail line in Sarnia.

“We just want to get the message out,” he said. “It’s not just us who should be out there. There are a lot of other Canadians that are out there supporting the natives and anybody else who want to hear it.”

Similar demonstrations were also held at the Peace Bridge between Fort Erie, Ont., and Buffalo, N.Y., and others were planned for the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge in Niagara Falls and Peace Arch crossing in Surrey, B.C.

Police in Ontario also issued a general warning Saturday to travellers to plan ahead because some roads and highways in these areas may face longer than usual traffic delays.

The Idle No More actions were also organized to show support for Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who has been on a liquid diet since Dec. 11.

Spence has vowed that she will not eat until she can get an audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Governor General and other First Nations chiefs to discuss more revenue sharing and economic development for reserves.

A spokesperson for Stephen Harper says the prime minister agreed Friday to a meeting with a delegation of leaders from the Assembly of First Nations. Spence has said she intends to be at the meeting, which has been set for Jan. 11.